Mock Convention Presents Spring Kickoff
In 1908, William Jennings Bryan, a front-runner for the Democratic nominee for POTUS, announced a visit to Lexington, Virginia inciting an idea among the politically minded W&L students. They set up a replica of the democratic nominating convention, completed months of research and finally, on the day of Bryan’s speech, came together to predict Bryan as the Democratic Party’s nominee for President. A few months later, Bryan went on to win the nomination, beginning the Washington and Lee University’s Mock Convention legacy of success.
Since then, every four years Washington and Lee has held a Mock Convention to pick a proposed nominee for POTUS for the party out of power. Its record of accuracy is quite unbelievable, and it has become the most accurate mock political nomination convention in the country.
The kickoff event for the 2024 Mock Convention was a live forum from Lee Chapel on March 21, 2023, featuring Vice President Mike Pence and Fox News Chief Political Correspondent Bret Baier. The event was covered by Fox News, ABC News and numerous other media services.
The evening began with a presentation by Vice President Pence that was aimed largely at the students and the burdens their generation would have to bear unless important public policy decisions are made in the near future. This was followed by a substantive interview by Bret Baier that covered a broad range of topics that included questions submitted in advance by students. At its conclusion, Messrs. Pence and Baier joined the audience on the chapel floor where they were enthusiastically greeted. In particular, Vice President Pence was besieged by dozens of students who sought photos and conversation that went on for 20-30 minutes.
The Mock Con Committee arranged for recording of the event. You may access it by visiting the following link: https://vimeo.com/810359188
The event was made possible through an underwriting donation by The Generals Redoubt Center for American Ideals.
Please donate to The Generals Redoubt to pay for professional research related to defending Lee Chapel as a National Historic Landmark, for future funding to educate students about the rich history and legacy of Robert E. Lee, and to help bring back diversity of thought. As of January 1, 2023, confidential contributors have given new matching gifts that are currently at $193,000.00. We need your help if we are to save Lee Chapel as a national treasure. Thank you in advance for your support. Information on how to contribute is found at